Born in Panama, Billy Cobham moved to the United States at age 3. He began playing drums at age 4.

As a professional drummer, Cobham made his start with the Horace Silver quintet and as a studio musician for Atlantic Records. He was a founding member of Dreams (with Randy and Michael Brecker), played with Miles Davis who he eventually left to form the seminal fusion band, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, alongside legendary guitarist John McLaughlin. In 1973, Cobham released his debut album Spectrum, which is still considered one of the most important recordings in the fusion genre. Over the last several decades, Cobham has worked with Jack Bruce, Bob Weir, and released several solo records that have featured an outstanding assembly of talent (Frank Gambale, Jon Hammer, George Duke, and Chaka Khan among others).

After decades behind the drumkit, Billy Cobham is embarking on a career first with the release of his art collection "Visual Light Sticks." Abstract, vivid and powerful, this collection puts a visual to the rhythmic style and sound of Cobham's rhythm.

Working with art team SceneFour, Cobham utilized drumsticks that light much like a painter would use brushes with oils. Through an extensive process that begins with open-shutter photography, Billy is able to create visuals for canvas through performance. The result is a collection of 9 different pieces, highly limited in edition, and all numbered and signed by Cobham.